The NFL postseason is here, so there’s no better time to start looking ahead to Super Bowl 59.
The Big Game will take place on Sunday, Feb. 9, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. But which teams will represent the AFC and NFC? And who is the best bet to lift the Lombardi Trophy right now?
Let’s examine the latest Super Bowl 59 odds and discuss the cases for some of the leading candidates.
Super Bowl Odds
NFL odds used for these Super Bowl predictions are from Thursday, Jan. 9, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
Super Bowl 59 Best Bet
Kansas City Chiefs (+350)
Do I even need to explain this one?
The Chiefs have won back-to-back Lombardi Trophies and been to four Super Bowls in the past five seasons (winning three). And sure, Patrick Mahomes and Co. lucked into a few wins this season, but they are the No. 1 seed once again after losing just once over the season’s first 17 weeks.
The Kansas City offense is also getting healthy at the right time. Running back Isiah Pacheco and wide receiver Hollywood Brown returned to the lineup before the end of the regular season, giving Mahomes additional options beyond aging pass-catchers Travis Kelce and DeAndre Hopkins and rookie wideout Xavier Worthy.
Steve Spagnuolo’s defense took a slight step back this season, but it still allowed fewer than 20 points per game and has game-wreckers in Chris Jones and George Karlaftis, who have proven themselves in the postseason.
The best part about betting the Chiefs right now is that their odds aren’t all that different from what they were in the preseason (+550). Kansas City should be the favorite until someone knocks the defending champs from their throne.
Back Andy Reid’s squad to complete a historic three-peat as one of your best NFL bets today.
Super Bowl 59 Contenders
Detroit Lions (+295)
Dan Campbell’s squad would’ve been in the Super Bowl last season if it hadn’t squandered a second-half lead in San Francisco. That experience clearly motivated the Lions, who went 15-2 to claim the NFC North and the conference’s top seed.
Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson’s decision to stay another season and help Detroit take care of its unfinished business has been vindicated, as the Lions were the NFL’s highest-scoring team at 33.2 points per game. The backfield duo of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs should be reunited in the Divisional Round, though Gibbs looked plenty capable of carrying the load on his own with a four-touchdown outing in Week 18.
- Get ready for the postseason with our Printable NFL Playoff Bracket.
That dominant ground game, bolstered by the league’s best offensive line, is a winning formula in the postseason. Detroit also has a great home-field advantage at Ford Field and won difficult games down the stretch to ensure it plays its postseason games indoors in front of its home crowd.
My main concern about the Lions is their defense, which still has concerns despite a strong performance against the Vikings in the season finale. Pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson is a considerable loss, and I’m still unconvinced by this group of corners. There also isn’t much value left in this number.
Buffalo Bills (+600)
There’s plenty to like about this Bills team, and taking Buffalo at this slightly longer number is tempting.
Despite losing top target Stefon Diggs in the offseason, quarterback Josh Allen had arguably the best season of his career, accounting for over 4,250 yards and 40 total touchdowns (12 rushing) while committing just seven turnovers. He is a deserving front-runner in the NFL MVP odds (-450).
Still, we’ve seen this movie before with the Bills. They’ve beaten the Chiefs plenty in the regular season. Can they overcome a series of early exits in the postseason? That question has yet to be answered and will define Allen’s season (and potentially his legacy in Buffalo).
Super Bowl 59 Sleeper
Philadelphia Eagles (+700)
As a two-seed, the Eagles don’t fit the qualification of a sleeper, but I don’t feel great about recommending any team further down the odds board.
Philadelphia was my favorite preseason Super Bowl bet at (+1700), so hopefully, you got on board at that number. The Eagles have been among the league’s most impressive teams, winning the NFC East with a 14-3 mark.
Vic Fangio’s defense has taken a significant step forward in his second season as defensive coordinator, leading the NFL in yards per game allowed (278.4) and ranking second in scoring defense (17.8 points per game allowed).
On the other side of the ball, the offseason addition of Saquon Barkley from the rival Giants was a masterstroke. The 27-year-old rushed for a league-best 2,005 yards and scored 15 total touchdowns behind one of the league’s best offensive lines.
Backed by Barkley and a terrific defense, Jalen Hurts has limited mistakes and made plays when called upon. Much of this roster has Super Bowl experience after falling to Kansas City in Super Bowl 57, and it feels like this group could make a similar run.
